January 1930, Changsha, Hunan. Tang Shengzhi's army was disarmed by Chiang Kai-shek, and his military group collapsed. However, in the midst of this mess, a special unit quietly rose - the 77th Division. It was like a tenacious little ant, crawling in the troubled times, climbing up step by step, and finally became a semi-descendant of Chiang Kai-shek's army. The fate of this army is like a legendary novel full of ups and downs, full of opportunities and challenges.
【The Rest of Tang Shengzhi - From the Edge to the Semi-Descendant】
Speaking of the 77th Division, we have to start with its "father" Tang Shengzhi. This Hunan bigwig, during the Northern Expedition, had unlimited scenery, but unfortunately later broke with Lao Jiang, and was defeated and disarmed in January 1930. Tang Shengzhi fell, and his soldiers were dismissed. However, a small unit escaped, and this was the 77th Division.
Its predecessor was a little-known garrison brigade under Tang Shengzhi. The boss of this unit is called Luo Lin, a native of Yongzhou, Hunan. Luo Lin is not simple, he is a high-achieving student who graduated from the Baoding Army Military Academy, and has been following Tang Sheng since 1920. This guy is very good at getting things done, and after Tang Shengzhi fell, he immediately expressed his loyalty to Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek saw that this kid was good, able to fight and obedient, so he upgraded his troops to the new 22nd Division.
Although Chiang Kai-shek promoted Luo Lin, he was still not very relieved. In 1930, when the Red Army occupied Changsha, Chiang Kai-shek sent Luo Lin's troops to encircle and suppress it. When Luo Lin heard this, his heart blossomed - isn't this a good opportunity to make meritorious contributions? He led his troops in pursuit all the way, and as a result, the Red Army took the initiative to evacuate Changsha. Seeing this, Chiang Kai-shek felt that Luo Lin had made meritorious contributions, so he "turned his troops into regulars" and reorganized them into the 77th Division.
Since then, the 77th Division has been mixed up. Although it is not a descendant of Chiang Kai-shek, it can barely squeeze into the ranks of semi-descendants. This unit is like a smart little brother, although he has a bad background, he knows how to seize the opportunity to climb up.
[Performance on the battlefield - advance and retreat]
Speaking of the combat effectiveness of the 77th Division, there are joys and sorrows. In the early days of the Sino-Japanese War, it performed mediocre. In September 1937, the 77th Division was sent to participate in the Battle of Songhu. Outcome? After only one day of fighting, he was stunned and could only retreat in disgrace. This made Chiang Kai-shek angry and directly withdrew Luo Lin.
However, the 77th Division was not a fuel-efficient lamp. By 1939, it had been disgraced in the Battle of Changsha. At that time, the Japanese army fought violently under the city of Changsha, and the 77th Division, under the leadership of the new division commander Liu Jiming, came to a beautiful ambush battle, which made little Japan cry and cry for his mother. This battle made Chiang Kai-shek very happy, and he felt that this army was still somewhat useful.
By 1941, the 77th Division had made another contribution. In the Third Battle of Changsha, it was ordered to guard Yuelu Mountain. At that time, the Japanese army had reached the outskirts of Changsha, and the 77th Division simply withstood the pressure and repelled the Japanese army. This battle was fought beautifully, and the reputation of the 77th Division also rose with the tide.
【Internal Game of Thrones】
Although the 77th Division was somewhat famous on the battlefield, it was not peaceful internally. This army was like a hodgepodge, with Tang Shengzhi's old subordinates and Chiang Kai-shek's cronies. These people were wary of each other, intrigued, and caused chaos within the 77th Division.
For example, Han Jun, the fourth commander of the 77th Division, is an interesting figure. This guy was originally born in the first phase of Whampoa, and served as the deputy commander-in-chief in the Autumn Harvest Uprising, and then somehow took refuge in Chiang Kai-shek. After Han Jun took office, he immediately made a contribution in the Second Battle of Changsha and defeated the Japanese army. This can make Chiang Kai-shek and Chen Chengle bad, and I feel that I have finally found a useful general.
However, the good times were short-lived. In 1943, the 77th Division suffered a big loss in the Battle of Changde and was almost dumplings by the Japanese army. This frightened Han Jun, for fear that Chiang Kai-shek would blame him. However, he was lucky, and the army commander Wang Zhibin took the blame, and he was promoted to deputy commander instead.
[The final ending - a day and a half of destruction]
When it comes to the end of the 77th Division, it can be dramatic. In February 1947, the 77th Division was ordered to advance to Shandong. The division commander at that time was Tian Junjian, and this guy was not from the Huangpu department or the Baoding department, but the old department of the Hunan indigenous warlord Chen Quzhen. To be honest, it was a bit reluctant to let him be the commander of the 77th Division.
On February 20, Tian Junjian led the 77th Division to move closer to the military headquarters. Who knows, halfway through the way, it will be surrounded by the People's Liberation Army. At that time, Li Yan, the deputy commander of the 77th Division, suggested immediate rescue, but the army commander Han Jun hesitated and said that he would consider it again. Outcome? The 77th Division was divided and surrounded by the People's Liberation Army and was beaten in pieces.
Tian Junjian wanted to break through with the remnants, but was blocked by the People's Liberation Army along the way. In the end, only more than 300 people fled to Jinan. Tian Junjian himself was separated with more than 100 people, and after being surrounded by the People's Liberation Army on the morning of the 22nd, he pulled out his pistol and committed suicide.
In this way, the 77th Division was completely wiped out in just one and a half days. This unit, which was once known as the main force of the Ninth Theater, quietly withdrew from the stage of history.
The 77th Division is like an absurd drama. It climbed from Tang Shengzhi's little minion to Chiang Kai-shek's semi-descendant step by step. In the War of Resistance Against Japan, it had its glory and its fiasco. But in the end, it was doomed.
The experience of this unit actually reflects the epitome of that turbulent era. In troubled times, some people climb up, and some people fall to the bottom. Some people receive awards for meritorious service, and some people are punished. But in the end, in the torrent of history, the fate of individuals and small groups often seems so small and helpless.